How to get into nursing?

<p>Hi!</p>

<p>I'm currently a senior in high school and I am very interested in attending UT Austin and applying to their school of nursing. I had a few questions though, and they may sound extremely dumb so bear with me! My parents did not attend school in America and they are not exactly the best at keeping up with the times haha so I don't have any kind of parental advice going for me or anything. OK, anyways....</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I keep hearing things about taking pre-reqs or something like that before going into nursing? Or something? Does this mean that I cannot apply to the School of Nursing straight out of high school? Like when I send in my college application?</p></li>
<li><p>If that is the case (where I cannot apply to nursing until after completing the required courses), when do I apply? And how competitive is it to get in? Who would be a good candidate to get in?</p></li>
<li><p>This question doesn't exactly pertain to the discussion title, but I AM DYING TO KNOW lol. How hard is the nursing school??? Or nursing school in general? I'm sososo excited for my future as a nurse, but I'm also very worried and I feel as if I'm missing a lot of information that I should know before I get myself into this crazy (but awesome!) profession.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>If you yourself are a nurse or currently enrolled in a nursing school, please tell me just...anything, really! All info would be helpful and thank y'all so much! :D </p>